Comments on: Jan Svankmajer: The Complete Short Films

By: Michael Brooke

Michael Brooke — Mon, 25 Jun 2007 13:15:24 +0000

I’m jealous! 1997 was the last time I saw a Svankmajer short for the first time, and there have only been two features since then.

By: John

John — Sun, 24 Jun 2007 02:37:38 +0000

Many thanks for the details, Michael. I’m really looking forward to seeing these films again. And seeing some of them for the first time!

By: Michael Brooke

Michael Brooke — Sat, 23 Jun 2007 16:35:05 +0000

Sedlec is accent-free. It’s quite startling visiting the actual ossuary after seeing Svankmajer’s film one too many times, as it’s a lot smaller than you’d expect.

The new DVD contains the British premiere release of the original banned soundtrack version of ‘The Ossuary’ – in fact, it was touch and go whether or not we’d be able to get the replacement (music) version, despite being by far the most familiar version from a British viewer’s perspective.

Personally, I love the music (the original version has none), though I bowed down to Svankmajer’s own preference when selecting which version played when you select ‘Play All’ from the main menu. But I also made a point of including the music version if you select the option to play just the films with Zdenek Liska scores.

By: John

John — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 16:50:24 +0000

Sedlec, isn’t it? (Probably needs some accents.) A place I’d love to visit as well. I think every print of The Ossuary I’ve seen has had the same music. Saw it at the Cornerhouse years ago along with some of his other films. Was great seeing them on a big screen.

By: Martin Jones

Martin Jones — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 11:44:09 +0000

This is great news indeed and more than enough to cheer me up after a morning working in the pouring rain. I visited the Ossuary in Selsnik (spelling?) a few years before I viewed JS’s film of the same name. The pyramid of skulls has to be seen to be believed. Will be interesting to see both versions, as I do like the music on my VHS copy.